Repeatedly, I have written that Barrack Obama as president would be something completely new. GOP candidates have an opportunity to be different, better conservatives than the combative elephants of recent campaigns. John Heilemann wrote an article in the New York Times titled “The New Politics: Barack Obama, Party of One.” I swear this guy must be bugging my phone because I have been saying that Obama is beholden to the average person who gave him money (like my $10) rather than the traditional Democrat funding sources alone.
The President-Elect had the Blue Dogs, the Congressional Black Caucus and other groups uncertain about supporting him because they did not control him and he wasn’t in Washington long enough to earn his Dem “bones” Soprano style. John Edwards and Hillary Clinton were fellow veterans from earlier battles.
The definition of pragmatic is “concerned with causes and effects or with needs and results rather than ideas or theories.” Obama the Pragmatic is about the business of fixing America rather fighting party battles and I was begging Black southerners to support reasonable Republicans who wanted to help in the same way reasonable members of our party became the “Reagan Democrats.”
Change stinks for those who might be on the outs. But listen to this: the agents of change are turning their noses up to a range of Washington insiders who did not resist our nation’s slow slide into our current situation—Red and Blue rubberstampers are equally nervous.
Governor Palin might be right about bloggers getting off on creating confusion and mess. So, I want to help the change effort in my own little way by continuing to push the Black community toward helping better Republicans.
If you live in an area where your two senators, congressman and governor are Republicans, you should know that the real action might be in the primary election. The logical act for you would be supporting a more reasonable GOP candidate; someone who will work to add conservative elements to the Obama agenda rather than hoping the new president fails.
In Georgia, I think Senator Isakson’s reelection is a given and I personally like the guy. If someone wants to be a GOP congressional candidate in 2010 in a district with a sizable African American population, he can do himself a favor by getting to know the Black community now—two years of connecting and networking is better than a zillion 30 seconds ads.
The Obama White House won’t be perfect but those GOP incumbents who regularly criticize in a ugly and vile manner should find themselves facing a primary opponent with the support of Obama backers from both parties.
Finally, we should not forget the Democrats like some Blue Dogs who rode Obama’s coattails when it was convenient but might be AWOL when it is convenient. We are watching you like a hawk.
Five months ago I knew that I would be writing “help the new president help the nation” five days before the inauguration. I did know whom the voters would select as the new president but I knew I am such a good American that I would respect and support the direction that was chosen.
Presidents are public servants—not monarchs or rulers- and this young leader will need us to me the best us we can be. It is the right thing to do. During the next two years, keep an eye on the demeanor and conduct of the loyal opposition. For southerners, the GOP core principles are sound but techniques of the far right can get questionable at times. Be genteel and good people will remember your approach in 2010—you might just get a cool pass.
Why Barack Obama Is a Political Party of One – The All New Issue — New York Magazine
Project Logic Ga 
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